John Dandolph, executive vice president and president, Momentive Performance Materials, Silicones and Quartz Division, talks about his company during an interview at the Times Union on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in Colonie, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union) less

John Dandolph, executive vice president and president, Momentive Performance Materials, Silicones and Quartz Division, talks about his company during an interview at the Times Union on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in ... more

Photo: Paul Buckowski

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John Dandolph, executive vice president and president, Momentive Performance Materials, Silicones and Quartz Division, talks about his company during an interview at the Times Union on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in Colonie, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union) less

John Dandolph, executive vice president and president, Momentive Performance Materials, Silicones and Quartz Division, talks about his company during an interview at the Times Union on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in ... more

Photo: Paul Buckowski

Image 3 of 13

John Dandolph, executive vice president and president, Momentive Performance Materials, Silicones and Quartz Division, talks about his company during an interview at the Times Union on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in Colonie, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union) less

John Dandolph, executive vice president and president, Momentive Performance Materials, Silicones and Quartz Division, talks about his company during an interview at the Times Union on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in ... more

Photo: Paul Buckowski

Image 4 of 13

John Dandolph, executive vice president and president, Momentive Performance Materials, Silicones and Quartz Division, talks about his company during an interview at the Times Union on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in Colonie, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union) less

John Dandolph, executive vice president and president, Momentive Performance Materials, Silicones and Quartz Division, talks about his company during an interview at the Times Union on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in ... more

Photo: Paul Buckowski

Image 5 of 13

Image 6 of 13

John Dandolph, executive vice president and president, Momentive Performance Materials, Silicones and Quartz Division, talks about his company during an interview at the Times Union on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in Colonie, NY. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union) less

John Dandolph, executive vice president and president, Momentive Performance Materials, Silicones and Quartz Division, talks about his company during an interview at the Times Union on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in ... more

Dandolph has traveled the world with both GE and Momentive. His most recent position was as president of the company's silicones business in Asia.

But despite all of that travel, Dandolph feels lucky to be in Waterford.

"It's nice to be back," Dandolph said.

After all, the Waterford plant, which has 1,000 employees and a 70-year history, is Momentive's largest production facility in the world.

But after about a year on the job in Waterford, Dandolph is facing one of his most crucial assignments yet as he prepares to negotiate a new contract with the company's hourly workers. Talks are scheduled to begin early next month.

"Waterford is a great site for us," Dandolph said. "It (negotiation) is really about making sure Waterford is a competitive site long term."

Three years ago, relations between the company and its unionized workers — about 700 in Waterford — grew tense after the two sides had negotiated a new contract. Workers ended up trying to get the contract dismissed and held a short strike, arguing their interests were not represented during the talks.

Although that was before Dandolph's tenure in Waterford, he said Thursday that the company has some of the most loyal employees in the chemical industry, with a voluntary attrition rate of just 1 percent. And salaries average $75,000 annually. He believes both the company and its employees have mutually beneficial goals, although pension and health care benefits need a hard look.